You are here: Home / Famous Lebanon People: From Basketball Stars to Midget Racers

Famous Lebanon People: From Basketball Stars to Midget Racers

Lebanon, Indiana may not be a big city, but it has certainly had a few big names come from its lively streets. Some famous Lebanon people are minor stars, recognized only by those who are passionate about whatever field the celebrity inhabited, but there are others who have made an impact across the United States. Lebanon is the home of one of the most famous small town Indiana basketball players, an ill-fated actor who played in perhaps one of the best sports movies of all time, a singing and sacking defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, a pitcher whose methodically slow change up earned him the title of “The Sultan of Slow”, a indomitable gear head who is known as one of the greatest midget car racers of all time, and even a writer of young adult non-fiction. Famous Lebanon people are mostly involved in the sports world (or movies about sports), but their contributions are recognized across the country.

Rick Mount – One of the first small town Indiana basketball players to achieve the Indiana basketball dream is legendary Purdue University Boilermaker Rick Mount, an Indiana Mr. Basketball, Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer, Indiana Pacer, and master of the three point jump shot. Mount still lives in Lebanon, Indiana.

Craig Terrill – While Lebanon, Indiana native Craig Terrill’s day job is that of a defensive tackle for the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks, by night Terrill descends on the nightclubs and bars of Seattle with his guitar and backing band in tow. This former Purdue University defensive tackle also has a musical touch.

Mel Kenyon – Otherwise known as “Miraculous Mel,” the “Champion of Midget Auto Racing,” and “King of the Midgets,” Lebanon, Indiana native Mel Kenyon is considered by many to be the greatest midget racer in the history of the sport and he has the honors and awards to prove it, including inductions into three different racing Halls of Fame.

Doug Jones – Known as the “Sultan of Slow,” the story of Doug Jones is one of perseverance, timing, and patience, all of which were characterized by his maddening change-ups. This Major League Baseball relief pitcher spent ten years in the minor leagues before finally making a splash in the majors as an extremely effective pitcher.

Kent Poole – Kent Poole, a Hoosier all his life, played the part of Merle Webb in Hoosiers, the film about basketball, dreams, and perseverance, but his own life ended in tragedy when he committed suicide in 2003.

Jeff C. Young – One tireless advocate for our youth’s independent study is Jeff C. Young, a young adult non-fiction writer from Lebanon, Indiana who has penned over 30 non-fiction tomes ranging from military history to sports biographies.

Mayor Harold “Huck” Lewis – Lebanon, Indiana mayor Harold “Huck” Lewis didn’t ascend to the mayoral position through the usual channels. He was selected to the position after the elected mayor, John Lasley, passed away of cancer in May of 2009. Lewis, the former president of the City Council and the Boone County Commissioner from 2004 to 2009, has been in office for a year and a half.